I wonder why:: Reflections on the end of Term 2

Monday, February 28, 2011

Reflections on the end of Term 2

So we've reached the end of "term 2" for our school year. Only one more term left. And lots of new things for mom to implement this go around.

Here's a little look back.

We've had daily time outside considering there was plenty of snow and lots of cold. Mom is looking forward to the weather turning warmer.

A middle schooler has begun to grow crystals inside and it's been quite a science lesson. This will continue through the next term.

We've begun the Journey North sunlight and mystery class again. This is another six weeks or so left. We've enjoyed reading some new books and watching a documentary on longitude and latitude.

The horse turned pony love continues. This too allows us for plenty of outdoor time no matter the weather.

Woodworking continues to be a joy for some of the family. There are more projects in the works. (see how the dog could care less in the background?)

Montessori polishing work for the month in which we celebrate the Presidents kept this little girl busy for many days. I must say we don't want to part with pretty pennies!

A little guy is still not crawling around which is fine with our homeschooling! He sits and "cooks" or plays while we work. It's going to be different this next term I suspect.

Montessori pink tower and broad stairs meet for a 1st grader.

Continued tea time. We studied Caravaggio this term based on the Ambleside Online plans. Many helpers for making cookies and tea. For read alouds, we are working through Fr. Herman of Alaska, The Mystery of the Periodic Table and Burgess book of Animals. We continue to work through the Middle Ages with Story of the World.

Math continues to be very easy for a boy in our house. We'll be on our way to the next level for two people in this house before the next Term is up. RightStart Math is working well for us after Montessori basics are finished.

Preschooler and 1st grader are forcing some flowers to grow indoors since we can't wait a minute longer for some things that are green! The roses are from 6th graders Beautiful Girlhood book group. The companion guide written by a homeschooler has been great for copy work and discussion plans.

And that sums up our "formal learning" for Term 2.

Wonder at the things that are before thee making this the first step toward further knowledge.

Clement of Alexandria

Without wonder, men and women would lapse into deadening routine and little by little would become incapable of a life which is generally personal.

Saint John Paul II the Great

Persevere in reading while dwelling in stillness, that your mind may be drawn to wonders of God at all times.

St. Issac the Syrian

We need so to view the world as to combine an idea of wonder and an idea of welcome. We need to be happy in this wonderland without once being merely comfortable.

G.K. Chesterton

Children are born with curious minds, and all they need are things to wonder about, reflect on, imagine and experience in order for their minds to do their inner work and stretch their minds to capacity.

Charlotte Mason

It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.

Anne Frank

Wonder is not a force that pushes us passively from behind; it is situated ahead of us with irresistible force toward the object of our astonishment; it makes us advance toward it, filled with enchantment.

Sofia Cavaletti

I wonder-hush he whispers-if perhaps the world will wake again. When Christmas brings the stories back from where the skies are blue, Where clouds are scattering diamonds down on every cottage window-pane And every boy's a fairy prince and every tale is true.

Alfred Noyes

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder..., he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.
Rachel Carson

People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, the huge waves of the sea, the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the oceans, at the circular motion of the stars;and they pass by themselves without wondering.

St. Augustine

Thoughtfulness is the beginning of great sanctity. If you learn this art of being thoughtful, you will become more and more Christlike, for His heart was meek and always thought of others.

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Only those who look with the eyes of children can loose themselves in the object of their wonder.

Eberhard Arnold

Wonder is the salt of the Earth.

M.C. Escher

I think we need more of the wordless in our lives.

We need more stillness,

more of a sense of wonder, a feeling for the mystery of life.

Ben Okri

The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder.

G.K. Chesterton

When we consider how human beings are made, we are filled with wonder at the wisdom of the Creator that is revealed in us.

Theodoret

Open my eyes to see clearly the wonders of your law

Psalm 119:18

Life eternal! O what wonders crowd on faith; what joy unknown, when amidst earths closing hungers, saints stand before the throne.

William Irons

When all thy mercies, O my God, my rising soul surveys, transported with the view, I'm lost in wonder, love and praise. Addison

Generalism is the enemy of wonder because it suppresses uniqueness.

D H Lawrence

Wonder now more than ever is an essential survivor skill. Robert Macfarlane

The ends of the earth stand in awe at the sight of your wonders. Psalm 65

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom in learning from books as well as from nature. If you never ask yourself any questions about the meaning of a passage, you cannot expect the book to give you any insight you do not already possess.

Mortimer Adler